Updated Story: Jet, Army Helicopter Collide Near Washington

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Updated Story: Jet, Army Helicopter Collide Near Washington \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A regional jet carrying 60 passengers collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport, causing multiple fatalities. The midair crash, which happened over the Potomac River, halted all flights at the airport as rescue teams searched for survivors. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the tragic collision.

Jet and Helicopter Collision Near D.C. – Quick Looks

A regional jet with 60 passengers and an Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport.
Multiple fatalities have been reported, but the exact number remains unclear.
The collision occurred over the Potomac River, prompting a large-scale search operation.
The commercial jet was descending for landing when it suffered a rapid loss of altitude.
Investigators are reviewing air traffic control communications and flight data to determine the cause.
Reagan National Airport was temporarily closed but is scheduled to reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday.
President Trump and other officials have responded, calling the accident a devastating tragedy.

Deep Look

Midair Disaster Over the Potomac

In a devastating aviation accident, a commercial jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided midair with an Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport on Wednesday evening. The impact occurred over the Potomac River, just three miles from the White House, in one of the most restricted and closely monitored airspaces in the world.

According to initial reports, multiple fatalities have been confirmed, though officials have not disclosed the exact number as search-and-rescue operations remain active. Emergency responders are combing the river and surrounding areas for survivors while investigators work to understand how the tragic collision occurred.

The Flight Path and Collision Sequence

The regional jet, American Airlines Flight 5342, was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, and was in its final approach to Reagan National when disaster struck. Data from its radio transponder indicates that the aircraft was descending at an altitude of approximately 400 feet, moving at around 140 miles per hour, when it suddenly lost altitude over the Potomac River.

At nearly the same moment, an Army Blackhawk helicopter, on a routine training flight from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was operating in the same airspace. The helicopter’s crew had just been instructed by air traffic control to pass behind the incoming jet. Less than 30 seconds before impact, controllers attempted to confirm whether the helicopter had visual contact with the jet. Seconds later, the two aircraft collided.

A surveillance camera at the Kennedy Center captured the horrifying moment, showing two sets of aircraft lights converging in the night sky before erupting into a massive fireball. The impact sent debris raining down into the icy waters of the Potomac, halting all operations at Reagan National Airport.

Emergency Response and Search Efforts

Within minutes of the crash, a massive emergency response was launched. More than 300 first responders, including police, firefighters, and Coast Guard personnel, converged on the area. Search-and-rescue boats were deployed from the banks of the river, using high-powered lights and sonar equipment to scan the water for wreckage and survivors. Helicopters from local law enforcement agencies flew overhead, methodically searching the crash site with infrared imaging.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, speaking at a press conference Thursday morning, remained tight-lipped about the exact number of casualties but vowed that all efforts were focused on recovery. “We are going to recover our fellow citizens,” she said.

D.C. Fire Chief John Donnelly described the operation as “highly complex,” citing the treacherous conditions of the Potomac River, where water temperatures hovered at a frigid 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind gusts of up to 25 mph further complicated rescue efforts.

Eyewitness Accounts and Reactions

Residents and tourists near the Potomac River reported hearing a loud explosion followed by a streak of fire in the sky. “It sounded like a bomb went off,” said one witness who was walking along the riverbank. “Then I saw flames and debris falling into the water.”

Lawmakers quickly reacted to the tragedy. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas called the crash “unbearable sorrow,” while Senator Jerry Moran, who had frequently taken the Wichita-to-Washington flight, described it as a personal loss. “I know that flight. I’ve flown it several times myself,” Moran said.

President Donald Trump issued a statement from the White House, saying he had been “fully briefed on this terrible accident” and adding, “May God bless their souls.”

Investigating the Cause of the Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a full-scale investigation into the disaster. Authorities will examine flight data, air traffic control communications, and weather conditions to determine what led to the collision.

Investigators are particularly focused on the instructions given by air traffic control in the moments before the crash. Flight tracking data suggests that controllers had initially cleared Flight 5342 to land on Runway 33 but then instructed the Blackhawk helicopter to “pass behind” the commercial jet. Officials are also reviewing whether visibility issues or miscommunication between the pilots played a role.

Additionally, mechanical inspections of both aircraft will be conducted to rule out any possible malfunctions. The regional jet, a Bombardier CRJ-701, was manufactured in 2004 and had a seating capacity of up to 70 passengers. The Army helicopter was a UH-60 Blackhawk, commonly used for training and military operations.

Airport Closure and Flight Disruptions

Following the collision, Reagan National Airport suspended all flight operations. Initially, the FAA announced that the airport would remain closed until 5 a.m. Friday, but officials later revised the timeline, stating that it would reopen at 11 a.m. Thursday.

The closure caused significant disruptions to air travel, with dozens of flights canceled or diverted to Dulles International Airport, located further west in Virginia. Reagan National, a preferred airport for travelers due to its proximity to downtown Washington, is expected to experience residual delays even after reopening.

Historical Parallels and Weather Conditions

The accident immediately drew comparisons to the 1982 Air Florida Flight 90 crash, in which a Boeing 737 plunged into the Potomac shortly after takeoff, killing 78 people. That tragedy was later attributed to pilot error and poor weather conditions.

On Wednesday evening, Washington was experiencing unusually warm temperatures for winter, with highs reaching 60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the Potomac remained dangerously cold, increasing the risk for anyone who fell into the water. The National Weather Service had also warned of wind gusts up to 25 mph, which may have impacted the helicopter’s flight path.

Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps

As search-and-recovery efforts continue, the focus now shifts to understanding how a collision in such heavily monitored airspace could have happened. Investigators will analyze whether air traffic controllers, pilot decisions, or equipment failures played a role.

In the coming days, the NTSB is expected to release preliminary findings. Meanwhile, families of the victims are left grappling with the heartbreaking loss of their loved ones in a disaster that has shaken the aviation and military communities alike.